Supporting mount for an instrument stand

ABSTRACT

A stand for a precision instrument such as a microscope is provided with a pair of vertically extending plane surfaces which are inclined to each other. The mounting block of the instrument is provided with correspondingly shaped plane surfaces so that both pairs of plane surfaces may be superposed upon each other. The mounting block is provided with locking means in the form of a rotatable locking bar which passes through the vertical slot between the plane surfaces on the stand and engages a surface of the stand facing away from the mounting block upon rotation of the locking means through an angle of about 90*. The locking member is also capable of axial movement either concurrent with its rotary movememt or independently therefrom.

ties te 1 1 1 1 397959377 Dietrich Mar. 5, 1974 1 4] SUPPORTING MOUNTFOR AN 1,968,094 7/1934 0n 350/84 INSTRKJMENT STAND 2,095,271 10/1937Swanstrom 292/59 UX [75] Inventor: Toni Dietrich, Wetzlar, Germany [73]Assignee: Firma Wilhelm Will KG, Nauborn,

Germany [22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1972 [211 Appl, No.: 302,585

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 880,103, Nov. 26,1969, Pat. No. 7

[52] 11.5. Cl. 248/125, 248/411, 287/58 R,

350/255 [51] llnt. Cl. F161n11/04 [58] Field of Search..; 248/124, 125,411, 412, 413; 287/58 R; 350/84, 255

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 508,557 11/1893 Roulstone248/411 598,674 2/1898 Finn 248/411 1,326,363 12/1919 Michelin 248/411 XPrimary Examiner-William l-l. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdmund M.Jaskiewicz [5 7 ABSTRACT A stand for a precision instrument such as amicroscope is provided with a pair of vertically extending planesurfaces which are inclined to each other. The mounting block of theinstrument is provided with correspondingly shaped plane surfaces sothat both pairs of plane surfaces may be superposed upon each other. Themounting block is provided with locking means in the form of a rotatablelocking bar which passes through the vertical slot between the planesurfaces on the stand and engages a surface of the stand facing awayfrom the mounting block upon rotation of the locking means through anangle of about 90. The locking member is also capable of axial movementeither concurrent with its rotary movememt or indepen dently therefrom.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEW 3.795.377

SHEET 1 BF 3 Ema Fig.7

SUPPORTING MOUNT FOR AN INSTRUMENT STAND This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 880,103, filed Nov. 26, 1969, now US. Pat. No.3,712,569.

The present invention relates to the mounting of a precision instrumentto a stand, more particularly, to a detachable mounting arrangement forquickly locking or unlocking an instrument on a stand.

A wide variety of precision instruments, such as various measuringdevices, a microscope or the like, are attached to a suitable standduring use. Such instruments may include microscopes for moncular orbinocular observation, stereomicroscopes, or various kinds ofspecialized microscopes for particular applications. Such instruments aspresentlyknown are generally selfcontained units in that the instrumentand its stand constitute a single unit. Where many such differentinstruments must be used such as in development and research labs, inmanufacturing plants and the like, a large inventory of completeinstrument units must be maintained. Such an inventory of instrumentsrepresents a considerable capital investment.

It has been proposed to provide such an instrument unit wherein amicroscope, for example, could be detached from its stand. This wasaccomplished by pro.- viding a unilaterally open dove-tail guideway oneither the instrument or the stand with the other part being separatedtherefrom by being pulled out from the guideway. Tis mountingarrangement was not satisfactory since considerable skill was requiredto position the parts into this dove-taibshaped guideway. In addition,the guideway surfaces must be displaced axially with respect to eachother in order to achieve a vertical adjustment of the instrument onthestand. If a fine vertical adjustment device was to be provided betweenthese parts, it was then usually necessary to engage a rack and piniongear mounted respectively on these components. This not only complicatedthe mounting procedure but frequent changes of instruments upon thestand subjected the gear and rack to considerable wear.

It istherefore the principal object of the present invention to providea novel and improved mounting for an instrument upon a stand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a detachablemounting by which an instrument can be quickly mounted upon or removedfrom a stand with a minimum of effort by the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instrumentmounting which permits a rapid and frequent interchange of instrumentsupon a stand wherein each successive instrument is accurately mounted inposition and ready for immediate use.

According to one aspect of the present invention there may be providedan instrument stand having vertially extending supporting surface meanswhich may comprise a pair of plane surfaces inclined to each other. Theinstrument which is to be mounted may comprise a microscope having anobjective tube to which is attached a mounting block provided withsecond supporting surface means. The stand and mounting blocksupporting-surface means are similarly shaped so that the respectivesurface means can be superposed on each other. The mounting block isprovided with means for lockingly engaging with the stand so as to urgethe superposed supporting surface means tightly against each other tomaintain the instrument in a locked position on the stand. The lockingmeans may comprise a rotatable locking member which is engageable with asurface of the stand facing away from the instrument. The locking memberis capable of axial movement either during the rotative movement orindependently thereof. Thus, when the locking member is rotated thoyghan angle ofabout 90 to its locking position the axial movement ofthe locking means draws the supporting surface means tightly againsteach other. When the locking means is rotated back to its unlockedposition the axial movement of the locking member separates therespective supporting surface means.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentupon reference to the accompanying description when taken in conunctionwith the following drawings, which are explanary, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an instrument and stand accordingto the present invention with the mounting structure being shown insection;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the instrument and stand of FIG. 11 with aportion of the mounting structure being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a portion of the supporting surfaces ofthe stand of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view in enlarged scale of a modificationof the mounting structure of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V\/ of FIG. 4.

Proceeding next to the drawings wherein like reference symbols indicatethe same parts throughout the various views of specific embodiment andmodification of the present invention will be described in detail.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1. and 2 a microscope incorporating the presentinvention is provided with a stand 1 having a stage 2 mounted thereon ina manner as known in the art. The stage 2 may be provided with suitablestructure for retaining in fixed position an object or specimen which isto be viewed. The stage may be so constructed that it can be quicklydetached from the stand and replaced by another stage which may be moresuitable for a particular application. It would therefore be possible toprovide an instrument having a number of stages each of which can bemounted upon a common base.

The vertically upstanding portion of the stand 1 is provided with a pairof vertical plane surfaces 3 and 4 which are inclined with respect toeach other as may be seen in FIG. 2 so as to define a substantiallychannelshaped configuration in cross section.

A second pair of inclined supporting surfaces 5 and 6 are provided on amounting block ill. The plane surfaces 5 and 6 are similarly inclined toeach other to define a similar configuration to that of plane surfaces 3and 4 so that both pairs of inclined plane surfaces may be superposedagainst each other.

A limited or fine vertical adjustment of the microscope tube 8 can beachieved by manipulation of the hand wheels 9 and 10 which operate anadjusting structure which is known in the art and not shown in thedrawings. Such a vertical adjustment device will permit a relativelylimited vertical adjustment but this extent of adjustment will beconsiderably greater than the usual range of -70 mm. of previously knownvertical adjustment devices. in the microscope according to the presentinvention the vertical adjustment device is independent of the structurefor mounting the microscope to the stand as will become apparent from asubsequent description of the invention. In the embodiment of theinvention as illustrated in FIG. 1 the fine vertical adjusting device ispositioned between the microscope tube and the supporting stand.However, the microscope according to the present invention may bemodified so that the vertical adjustment device is in the stand. In suchan arrangement a single vertical adjustment device can be used for anumber of different microscope attachments.

The mounting block 11 is joined to a supporting bridge 7 which isattached to a tube 8 of the microscope. Pivotally mounted within theblock 11 is a shaft 12 carrying a locking member or cross bar 13adjacent one end thereof. The other end of shaft 12 is threaded at 14and is received in a threaded bore 15 in the mounting block. Anoperating lever 16 extends radially from the shaft 12 outwardly of themounting block.

As may be seen in FIG. 3 and stand 1 is provided with a verticallyextending slot 18 positioned between the supporting surfaces 3 and 4.The length of the slot 18 is considerably longer than the length of thelocking member 13 so as to permit the locking member to be insertedreadily into the slot and also to provide for a coarse verticalpositioning of the instrument upon the stand. The slot 18 is formed in awall of the stand having a rear or inner surface 19. This portion of thestand is indicated at 20.

In order to mount the instrument upon the stand the operating lever 16is moved to the unlocked position so that the locking member 13 isparallel to the slot 18. The mounting block surfaces and 6 are thenpositioned against the supporting surfaces 3 and 4 of the stand and thelocking member 13 inserted through the slot 18. When the operating lever16 is rotated, the locking member 13 rotates in a corresponding manner.The operating lever 16 is then pivoted through an angle of about 90 andthe cross bar is similarly pivoted to the position 13' as shown in FIG.3. Since the locking member 13 is positioned behind the surface 19,rotation of the operating lever will cause the locking member to becomepositioned behind this surface.

Simultaneously with this rotary movement of shaft 12, the shaft willmove axially because of its threaded connection in the mounting block.This axial movement will draw the locking member 13 tightly againstsurface 19 with the result that the supporting surfaces 3, 4 and 5, 6are tightly urged against each other. When this has been accomplished,the microscope is now in its locked position and is aligned for use.

In order to remove the microscope tube 8 from the stand 1, the operatinglever 16 is rotated in the opposite direction through an angle of about90 so that the locking member 13 is similarly rotated 90 and can bewithdrawn through the slot 18. At the same time that the locking member13 is being rotated to a position parallel with the slot 18 the lockingmember is also being moved axially away from the surface 19 so as tounlock the mounting block 11 from the stand.

The positioning of the mounting block 11 and the microscope tube 8 onthe stand by means of the operating lever 16 accomplishes a coarsevertical adjustment of the microscope. Any subsequently required fineadjust ment can then be carried out with the vertical adjustment device9 and provided on the microscope in the usual manner.

In FIGS, 4 and 5 there is illustrated a modification of the presentinvention wherein the axial movement of the locking member 13 isindependent of its rotary movement. While such an arrangement has a widevariety of applications it is particularly suitable for use where themicroscope tube is relatively heavy. There is a tendency for a heavytube to tip downwardly when unlocked from the stand since in most casesthe user underestimates the weight of the tube and does not immediatelycatch the tube when it is unlocked from the stand. This tipping of themicroscope tube may cause the front lens of the microscope objective toimpact the stage or even the specimen slide so that both the slide andthe lens may be damaged. This modification may also be employed wherethe microscope is provided with a particularly valuable objective and itis desired to eliminate as much as possible any liklihood of damage tothe objective.

As may be seen in FIG. 5 the operating lever 16 is axially displaceablein a tubular casing 35 which extends tangentially outwardly from anannular housing 36. The inner end of the lever 16 is provided. withthreads 21 which form, in effect, a rack engageable with a pinion gear22 fixedly attached to the shaft 12. When an axial force is applied tothe operating lever 16 in a direction indicated by the arrow 23 theshaft 12 together with the locking member 13 will be rotated.

The shaft 12 is secured against axial displacement and is supported in atubular housing 27 provided with external threads 28 which engageinternal threads 29 of a member 30 which is fixedly attached to themicroscope tube and may be a part of the mounting block. The housing 27is secured by screws as may be seen in FIG. 4 to a radial wall 37 of theannular housing 36.

When the operating lever 16 is pivoted in a-direction indicated by thearrow 31, the housing 27 will rotate within the memeber 30 and thus willmove axially with respect thereto. This axial movement will betransmitted by shaft 12 to the locking member 13 so that this lockingmember is released from the surface 19.

The advantages of the modification of FIGS. 4 and 5 will be readilyapparent in describing the procedure followed in removing a microscopewhich has been locked in position on the stand. To unlock or detach themicroscope from the stand, the operating lever 16 must first be pivotedin a direction of the arrow 31. This pivoting movement is transmittedthrough the housing 36 and tubular member 27 to the shaft 12 which movesaxially so that the locking member 13 is moved away from the surface 19.It is necessary to first separate the locking member 13 from the surface19 since if it were attempted to rotate the locking member 13 by movingoperating lever 16 axially, the frictional force between the lockingmember 13 and the surface 19 would be sufficiently great to prevent sucha rotary movement. However, when the locking member 13 is separated fromthe surface 19 the microscope tube 8 will tip downwardly somewhat tosuch an extend that an edge of the locking member 13 will abutt againstsurface 19. Even in this position, axially moving operating lever 16 inthe direction of the arrow 23 will not produce any rotary movement oflocking member 13 because of the friction still existing between thelocking member 13 and the surface 19. There is still a firm connectionbetween the microscope tube 8; and the stand 1.

In order to remove the microscope tube 8 from the stand it is necessarythat the user lift the tube with one hand so that the microscope israised from the tipped position. In this position, the locking member 13is now free and can be rotated by applying an axial force to theoperating lever 16. Rotating the locking member 13 through an angle ofabout 90 will permit the locking lever to be withdrawn through the slot18. Since the microscope tube is held in one hand during this releasingoperation the weight of the microscope is supported so that dropping ofthe tube is prevented and the front lens of the objective will notcontact the stage 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the distance between the microscope tube8 and the stand 1 is somewhat greater than the conventional distancebecause of the mounting block 11. This block 11 can be provided with arecess 40 in which is mounted an electric light so as to provide asource of illumination downwardly against the stage 2.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention has disclosed aninstrument mount for precision instruments, such as microscopes, whereina locking device is moved both axially and rotatably in order to effectlocking or unlocking of the instrument onto a stand. The axialmovement'of the locking member may be either concurrent with itsrotative movement or may be made independently thereof. By providing aseparate axial and rotary movement of the locking member a microscopetube which is relatively heavy can be prevented from dropping during thereleasing operation since it becomes necessary for the user to hold themicroscope tube with one hand in order to actuate the locking member topermit release of the microscope from the stand.

it will be understood that the present invention is susceptible tomodification in order to adapt to different usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

l. In a supporting mount for an instrument stand, a

stand having supporting surface means thereon, second supporting surfacemeans on a mounting block of an instrument to be mounted on the stand,said stand and said mounting block supporting surface means beingsimilarly shaped so that they can be superposed on each other, and meansfor lockingly engaging the stand and mounting block to urge thesuperposed supporting surface means tightly against each other tomaintain an instrument in a locked position in the stand, said lockingmeans comprising a locking member rotatably mounted on the instrumentmounting block and engageable with the stand, and means for movingaxially said locking member during rotary movement thereof wherein saidmeans for moving axially said locking member is independently operablefrom the rotary movement thereof.

2. In a supporting mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operatinglever is also axially movable, and means interconnecting said operatinglever and said locking member for moving said locking member axially inresponse to pivoting of the operating lever and for rotating saidlocking member in response to axial movement of said operating lever.

3. In a supporting mount as claimed in claim 2 wherein said meanscomprises a pinion gear secured to said locking member and a rack onsaid operating lever engaging said gear so that axial movement of saidoperating lever rotates said locking member.

4. In a supporting mount as claimed in claim 2 and comprising a sleevethreadedly engaged within said mounting block and connected to saidoperating lever, said locking member being connected to said sleeve formovement therewith so that pivoting of said operating lever rotates saidsleeve to bring about an axial movement of the sleeve and lockingmember.

1. In a supporting mount for an instrument stand, a stand havingsupporting surface means thereon, second supporting surface means on amounting block of an instrument to be mounted on the stand, said standand said mounting block supporting surface means being similarly shapedso that they can be superposed on each other, and means for lockinglyengaging the stand and mounting block to urge the superposed supportingsurface means tightly against each other to maintain an instrument in alocked position in the stand, said locking means comprising a lockingmember rotatably mounted on the instrument mounting block and engageablewith the stand, and means for moving axially said locking member duringrotary movement thereof wherein said means for moving axially saidlocking member is independently operable from the rotary movementthereof.
 2. In a supporting mount as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidoperating lever is also axially movable, and means interconnecting saidoperating lever and said locking member for moving said locking memberaxially in response to pivoting of the operating lever and for rotatingsaid locking member in response to axial movement of said operatinglever.
 3. In a supporting mount as claimed in claim 2 wherein said meanscomprises a pinion gear secured to said locking member and a rack onsaid operating lever engaging said gear so that axial movement of saidoperating lever rotates said locking member.
 4. In a supporting mount asclaimed in claim 2 and comprising a sleeve threadedly engaged withinsaid mounting block and connected to said operating lever, said lockingmember being connected to said sleeve for movement therewith so thatpivoting of said operating lever rotates said sleeve to bring about anaxial movement of the sleeve and locking member.